Mid SE footy y Thursday Edition THE SOUTH EASTERN TIMES Saints to celebrate fl ag Reunion of 1984 WBFL senior premiership team MORRIS ROD rod.morris@tbw.com.au THE Millicent Football Club hasn’t had a lot to cheer about this season. Winless after a club record 14 consecutive losses, the Saints are heading for their worst season on record in 51 years of membership of the Western Border Football League. The drama could/should be put behind them this weekend, not so much with what happens on the fi eld against East in the Round 16 fi xture, but moreso to celebrate the club’s greatest ever team and achievement. Thirty years ago, Millicent was the toast of the WBFL, winning the 1984 senior premiership, the club’s fi rst – and to date only – fl ag. VALUABLE EXPERIENCE: Hamish Reilly MFC secretary and historian, Glen Tilley and fi rst year president, Mr Craig Tunkin have worked tirelessly behind the scenes this year to ensure a renunion of the 1984 premiership heroes was added to the club’s social agenda for the season. That will come to fruition on Saturday when the Saints of yesteryear gather to relive their glory days. The 1984 WBFL grand fi nal is regarded as one of the best of all time and from a Millicent point of view, there would be no argument. Up against an in-form Hamilton Imperials line-up at Vansittart Park, Millicent ran out 20.16 (136) v 14.24 (108) winners. Then coach, Richard Hill is now in charge of the Mount Gambier Pioneers in the South East Australian Basketball League and has his team on the verge of going one better than their national championship runner-up placing from last year. AN EYE TO THE FUTURE: Blake Kenny If Hill was to capture the SEABL crown, it would give Jeremy Hales, Nat Robbins and Steve Duldig, while a further 10 have played 10 games or more. That leaves 25 players on nine games or less and in that group are nine debutants! That’s right, Millicent has blooded nine Under 17 players this season and that number is way more than any other Western Border club. Blooded into a red, white and black jumper so far in 2014 have been Jack Davies, Brodie Davis, Mitchell Gordon, Jonah Grimes, Callan Hobbs, Cooper Hutchesson, Blake Kenny, Hamish Reilly and Jayden Reilly. Hamish Gordon, Mason Redman and Tom Hutchesson have – at various times – been invited to Adelaide to play Under 18 footy in the SANFL with Glenelg, while Mitch Gordon received a call-up to the Glenelg U16s earlier in the season. They’re not excuses as to why Millicent may be struggling at senior level this year, they are reasons, but reasons that have some foresight and logic. The Saints’ hierarchy, led by Tunkin, Robinson, Tilley and all other staff, are looking to the future. IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: Callan Hobbs him an extraordinary double as a premiership coach, albeit 30 years apart and across two sporting codes. For more information on this weekend’s reunion, contact Glen Tilley on 0417-248-669. The ‘Baby’ Saints AT senior level in the Western Border Football League this season, Millicent is suffering. There’s been no shortage of spankings and only a handful of close losses as the club endures its worst season on record. SPECIALS Wednesday 6th August ‘til Tuesday 12th August 2014 Second year coach, Andrew Robinson has been true to his word in continuing to develop youngsters and turn them into senior footballers. That’s a task that doesn’t happen overnight and there’s a lot of scoreboard pain before he will see the fruits of his labour. Millicent, like Casterton/ Sandford and West Gambier, have used 40 different players at senior level this season, stacking up against South (34), North (35) and East (35). Of those 40 Saints, only fi ve have played in all 14 rounds, Adam Allen, Cameron Haggett, The pressure from surrounding Mid South East clubs is enormous ... always has been and most likely always will be, providing the current WBFL and MSEFL structures stay as they presently are. Millicent is also on the bottom of the reserves and Under 17 ladders – both without a win, although the “Magoos” did draw against West earlier in the season – while the Under 13s will fi ght East Gambier for the right to fi nish second or third and possibly snare a double chance. So while the scoreboards may look bleak at a Millicent game, you need to delve a little deeper and see that the Saints are working towards the future. 3kg bag of Navel Oranges $2.99 ea 32 - The South Eastern Times, Thursday, August 7, 2014 Premium Pork Forequarter Roast $4.95kg FOSTERS FOODLAND Kellogg’s Coco Pops 375g & Nutri-grain 290g $2.99 ea TRADING HOURS Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri- 7:30am-6:00pm Thurs: 7:30am-9:00pm • Sat: 7:30am-5:00pm www.thesoutheasterntimes.com.au PAGES 30-31 625217 650358